What is Ambient Theory

The purpose of this chapter is to provide a synthesis of urban visibilities and invisibilities in smart cities and regions as presented throughout this book. Key elements including dimensions, relationships, theory, and methods are presented in developing an integrated conceptual framework for the interweaving of the visible and invisible as InVisibilities in relation to the ambient in smart cities. Tables are included that enable summary and comparative views across chapters pertaining to findings, insights, ideas, exercise questions, and future directions for research and practice. This chapter makes a contribution to 1) emerging research and practice for ambient InVisibilities in smart cities; 2) the synthesizing of urban theory and methods pertaining to the visible and invisible dimensions of 21st century cities and urban regions; and 3) the extending of understandings pertaining to smart cities through of a conceptual framework for visibilities, invisibilities, and the ambient encompassing the physical and digital as a guide for theory and practice going forward.